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HISTORY
The Philippines was a colony of Spain, the United States, was placed under Japanish occupation
After the granting of nominal independence in 1945, the Philippines became a neo-colony of the US
Its economy, politics and culture are dictated upon by foreign interests, principally the US
HISTORY
The Philippines has a long history of revolutionary struggle
1896 Philippine revolution against Spanish Colonialism
Revolutionary struggle against US imperialism
Struggle against Japanese occupation during WW 2
Revolutionary struggle 1968 onwards against Imperialism, Feudalism and Bureaucrat Capitalism
HISTORY
Based on historical circumstances the Philippines is currently semi-feudal and semi-colonial
Rulling class – comprador big bourgeoisie and local big landlords
Oppressed classes– Peasants, workers, petty bourgeoisie, national bourgeosie
Legal mass movement, armed revolutionary movement
HISTORY
Two “People Power” uprisings, 1986 that ousted the Marcos dictatorship and 2001 that ousted the Estrada regime
Arroyo was brought to power in 2001 and served out the remained of Estrada’s term
She ran in 2004 and was widely believed to have engaged in massive electoral fraud
Our current situation
Arroyo has been in power for nearly 9
years
PovertyCorruptionRepressionPuppetry
Nine years of Poverty
Daily cost of living vs minimum wage
NCR Jan 2001
Now
DailyCOL
US$10.6 $19.00
Min.Wage
US$5.60 $8.00
Tinipon ng Bayan gamit ang NWPC data
Number of Unemployed
Tinipon ng Bayan gamit ang POEA data
2.3
2.6
3.2
3.8
Cory Ramos Erap Gloria
Number of unemployed (millions)
1987-1991 1991-1997 1997-2000 2001-2008
Number of Unemployed
Unemployed and underemployed• Jan’01: 8.34 M
• April’09: 15.6 M
269 workers loose their jobs daily (2001-2008)
Tinipon ng Bayan gamit ang NSO at DOLE data
Migration
Tinipon ng Bayan gamit ang POEA data
361,833469,709
693,815
1,008,303
Cory Ramos Erap Gloria
Number of migrant workers deployed yearly
1987-1991 1991-1997 1997-2000 2001-2008
Foreign Debt
Foreign debt under Arroyo ($ billion)
20.3
22.6
26.3 25.8 25.7
27.228.4
29.6
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Legacy of Corruption
Anomalous projects Estimated cost
IMPSA deal (2001) $ 2 million
PIATCO (2003) $ 20 million
Northrail project (2004) $50 million
Mega Pacific deal (2004) P500 million
Diosdado Macapagal Blvd. (2004) P600 million
NBN-ZTE broadband deal (2007) $32.9 million
World Bank road projects (2009) $33 million
Tinipon ng Bayan gamit ang media reports
Unexplained wealth
Declared Net Worth• 2001: P67 M• 2008: P144 M
Does not include undeclared assets, investments etc.
Lavish lifestyle
August 7, 2009 - THE economic downturn hasn't persuaded everyone to pinch pennies. Philippines President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was at Le Cirque the other night with a large entourage enjoying the good life. Macapagal-Arroyo ordered several bottles of very expensive wine, pushing the dinner tab up to $20,000.
Lavish lifestyle
PHILIPPINE FEAST FRENZY, PART 2 August 12, 2009 –
BEFORE their $20,000 meal at Le Cirque, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and an entourage of about 65 -- complete with food tasters, Secret Service and a kitchen monitor to watch food preparation -- dined at Bobby Van's Steakhouse in DC on July 30. "The party spared no expense, and had lobster, steak and expensive wines," said a source. "They paid their $15,000 bill, including a generous tip, with cash -- which was counted out, unseen, underneath a table by a staff member."
Nine years of repression
Human rights victims (Jan 2001 to Oct 2009)
Violation Victims
Extra-judicial, summary or arbitrary execution 1,118
Enforced or involuntary disappearance 204
Torture 1,026
Political prisoners 255
Data from Karapatan
Nine years of repression
… activists and critics of the regime have been slapped with trumped- up charges like murder, arson, rebellion etc.
Nine years of subservience
Support for “US war on terror”
Support for invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan
Permanent and continuing US troop presence under the Visiting Forces Agreement
“Country coordinator” for US relations in ASEAN -- Obama
Nine years of subservience
Up to 50,000 US troops have entered the country since 2001
Cases of abuses, rape and violations of the Philippine constituion
In June 2009, US Defense Sec. Gates announces retention of 600 US Special Forces in Southern Philippines
Nine years of subservience
Approved the Japan Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement
Foreign plunder, liberalization
Pushing Charter change, 100% foreign ownership of land
Threat of Martial Law
Arroyo declared Martial Law in Maguindanao province in the aftermath of the Ampatuan Massacre that claimed 57 lives
It was the first time Martial Law was used since 1972
Legal and factual bases for declaring Martial Law was questionable
Election Fraud
Anomalous automation meant to undermine the integrity and credibilty of the national elections
Failure of elections is one scenario
2010 Elections
Several candidates from the Opposition hoping to replace Arroyo
Outright rejection of administration bet
2010 Elections
Not likely to bring about fundamental change
May bring about replacement of GMA
May be an opportunity to advance pro-people reforms, accountability of GMA and her cohorts
2010 Elections
Peoples movement has fielded partylist groups and two senatorial bets at the national levels
Engagement in local elections too
Anti-fraud movement
Peoples International Observers Missions
2010 Elections
Failure of automation leading to failure of elections
Widespread election-related violence
Declaration of martial law
Corruption and fraud by the incumbent
Bigger challenges
Mass movement is still the key
Anti-imperialist, anti-feudal and anti-fascist struggles
Broad United Front to stop Arroyo’s moves to stay in power
Electoral arenaInternational solidarity